“Old Javanese Gold: The Hunter Thompson Collection,” Yale University Art Gallery

A. G. Maisey · 25th July 2011, 12:15 PM

I can understand your doubts, gentlemen, however, John Miksic is one of the notable authorities in this field. He has spent considerable time in Indonesia.

People with a reputation tend to guard it and to be cautious, rather than not.

I suggest you google Miksic and ask yourself if he would be likely to endanger his own reputation.

As for the object itself.

I have seen gold objects from the Wonoboyo hoard. They look as if they came off the workbench the day before yesterday. I have seen archaic gold objects from other places in the world. It has been absolutely impossible for me to judge their age. My wife owns some items of Majapahit gold. If I did not know these things were more than 500 years old, I would say they were less than 50 years old.

Stylistically this hilt seems to be Majapahit.

Personally, I would not question it --- most especially would I not question it on the basis of information from a photograph.

25th July 2011, 12:15 PM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	I can understand your doubts, gentlemen, however, John Miksic is one of the notable authorities in this field. He has spent considerable time in Indonesia. People with a reputation tend to guard it and to be cautious, rather than not. I suggest you google Miksic and ask yourself if he would be likely to endanger his own reputation. As for the object itself. I have seen gold objects from the Wonoboyo hoard. They look as if they came off the workbench the day before yesterday. I have seen archaic gold objects from other places in the world. It has been absolutely impossible for me to judge their age. My wife owns some items of Majapahit gold. If I did not know these things were more than 500 years old, I would say they were less than 50 years old. Stylistically this hilt seems to be Majapahit. Personally, I would not question it --- most especially would I not question it on the basis of information from a photograph.